Don't want to get motion sickness in a self-driving car? Take a nap

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/08/self-driving-cars-motion-sickness-sleep

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Turns out that being driven around is not all that fun. Riding in a self-driving car can increase the likelihood and frequency of motion sickness, a new study from the University of Michigan has found. Unless, that is, you’re asleep.

This is mostly due to the fact that passengers are more likely to be involved in activities other than driving.

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As part of their study, Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle, who work at the university’s Transportation Research Institute, interviewed 3,255 adults in the US, China, India, Japan, UK and Australia, asking them what they would do in a car if they did not have to drive.

More than a fifth of the respondents in the US, UK and Australia said that they would not ride in a self-driving car at all.

Of those who would get in the car, almost half would still watch the road. Passengers also said they were likely to read (14% in the US), watch movies (7.8%), talk and text with their family or friends (12.7%), work (6.2%) or sleep (8.8% in the US).

Those reading were the most likely to get motion sickness, followed by those watching a movie.

About 6-10% of Americans riding in self-driving cars would be expected to “often, usually or always experience some level of motion sickness”, the report states. Another 6-12% of American adults would experience moderate or severe motion sickness at some time.

Those napping while being driven – around 10% of the respondents who would agree to ride in a self-driving car – were the least likely to get sick. In fact, researchers didn’t even include results for how many of them would feel ill because sleeping has such a positive effect on motion sickness.

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“For those able to sleep in moving vehicles, sleeping reduces the frequency and severity of motion sickness, as does being awake with the eyes closed,” noted the study.

Maybe this is what being driven around has been about all along: catching up on sleep.

With the advent of self-driving cars, being driven will no longer just be for the rich. Instead of having to pay for a driver, consumers will be able to spend just a few thousand dollars more for a new car and be well on their way to riding around and napping.

In 2025, it is estimated self-driving cars will cost $7,000 to $10,000 more than regular cars, according to IHS Automotive. By 2030 that will drop to $5,000, and in 2035 to $3,000.